IDC says chip sales climbed 24 percent in 2010

A new study indicates that global chip revenue grew 24 percent last year to $282 billion, helped by sales of devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, e-readers and laptops.

The data was released Wednesday by market research firm IDC.

According to IDC, leading chip maker Intel Corp. remained the market leader with $41.9 billion in revenue last year. Samsung Electronics Co. took second place with $27.6 billion in revenue — 2 percent growth over the previous year. Texas Instruments Inc., Toshiba Corp. and Hynix Semiconductor Inc. were the other companies in the top five.

IDC said "many" companies' revenues rose more than the industry average — which it did not specify — including Trident Microsystems Inc., Spreadtrum Communications Inc. and Cavium Networks Inc.

This year, IDC predicts semiconductor sales will rise 6 to 8 percent, due to issues like the recent Japan earthquake and an expected glut of chips later this year.